Hello from Virginia!
So the 400 mile trip took us longer to come home than it did to go to the conference. "Why?", you may ask? Because there was an accident that had us sitting on the freeway today for over an hour. So we had an 8 hour drive today. And we took the "fast" route. Oh well.
Tomorrow we are just relaxing and haning around the house, I think. Our last day together. I will miss K when we leave. I know she will miss us. She's only been here 3 months and it's been difficult. It's always hard to make new friends, especially when you're a stay-at-home mom in a working mom neighborhood. So I'll ask you to pray for her .... pray that she can find a friend or two and pray that she can hear God's calling and follow it here.
I enjoyed the conference, over all. I learned a lot and it gave me a lot to think about. I heard God affirming me and calling me at the same time.
So we shall see. It is very difficult for me to see the future now. Once your "future" has been ripped away from you, once your dreams have been smashed on the rocks, you have a difficult time looking ahead. I really do only live one day at a time now. I guess that's how God prefers us to always live ... in the moment, but it took losing my heart to be able to do this.
Now I can't do anything BUT live in the moment. My life is like a blank slate with me asking, "What now, Lord?". So, we'll see what happens next. It could be very interesting.
Today our last speaker talked about living in the shadows. She referred to "The Wizard of Oz". Each of us is searching for something --- a brain, a heart or maybe courage. Do we feel inadequate to do what we think God calls us to? Or do we feel that we don't have the heart to do it? Or do we feel scared to do what He calls us to?
It was very thought-provoking and very interesting.
So this will be my question to you tonight:
Do you think you need more of a brain? Or more of a heart, or perhaps more courage to live your life to the fullest? What is the one thing that holds you back from experiencing life as it should be experienced? What is the one thing you would ask the "Wizard" for?
C'mon, be bold -- think about it and tell me what you come up with. I'm open and honest with you. I don't hold back, most of the time. So if you had to pick one of those three items-- a brain, heart or courage -- which would you choose to make your life more fulfilling? Which do you think you need?
I'll go first. This is easy. I think for me it will be courage. Courage to follow what I think God is calling me to. Courage to not care what others think, but to care only what He thinks. Courage to step out and do something "different".
I think I am now a bit freer to be courageous. I don't think there are many expectations of me, except that I do whatever it is that I "need" to do for now. So it may be easier at this point in my life to be courageous. We'll see.
I have no idea what the future holds and I don't worry or ponder about it too much.
What would be the one thing you would ask for?
And before I go, I do have the most wonderful children in the world. I love each of them .... even the one who didn't wish me a happy birthday.
But I may add it to MY book. :)
11 comments:
of the 3, i would definitely say courage too. i can dive with sharks, overcome a fear of flying, hold black bears on my lap, and catch snakes but what scares the bejesus out of me is relationships and love. i run... i get scared... that's where i need my courage.
Wow, that is thought provoking! I could use more of all three! But if I had to choose just one at this point in my life I think I would ask for a brain that is not so forgetful. I really hate that I have to put my medication in a pill box with the days of the week on it so I can remember if I took it or not. I remember my aunt fixing up a pill box for my grandmother that had the times of the day on it. I fear I may need that some day. Hmm, maybe I should ask for courage to face getting older. Enjoy your last day with K. I will be praying for her.
Garnett
Tell K that Andre and I say hello and I hope that J and the kids are all well!
Rebecca
COURAGE!! Courage to let go and trust in Him. Courage to let Him have control. Courage to be who I need to be without FEAR of what others think.
And I DID call on your B-Day, you just didn't answer.
Love ya,
Little Bro
When you refer to K (would that be K as in K & J G. and the 5 kids?)
Hmm, what am I? - well I've got a heart, I've got a brain, I've got courage, I just need a direction, actually I've got many directions, hmm maybe too many directions. I'm actually in a transitional time in my life - I was thinking the other day my daughter is getting married and she will become a dink (double income, no kids) Since both my kids have left home that would make me an oink (one income no kids). Okay, getting back to the question at hand. Heart, Brain, Courage. I definately don't need more of a heart that is what got me in trouble in the first place. Let me see courage or brain. Maybe the courage to use my brain, Rats that is still two things. Who made up this question anyway?
Those of you who are courageous enough to answer this question -- Great job!! I admire the openess and honesty!
Keep it coming!
J
I think I would need all three. Sad to say. I have always lacked courage to follow what I know God wants for me and the lack of the knowledge of Christ. I did go astray for a few years there (96-03) And the heart to love those I do not and to just trust in Him. I am having a hard time with that right now with the kids in OR with the one that I'm not liking. I know this might sound weird but I have just had to much time to think and it was so strange that you asked this of us. Two weeks down and two to go and I am so lost and afraid and I just need to find the courage, the heart and the knowledge to over come my fears and to trust that He knows best and he will be with my two little ones and all will be well.
I have been gone for weeks it seems-2 trips and only one break in between to do laundry and now we leave for Baylor orientation on Wednesday. I must wish my "1960 was a great year" friend, a belated happy birthday! Hope to hear all about your trip. Now to this difficult question-I would ask for a brain. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn't finish a college education. There are times when it really bothers me and other times when I just let it go but I do regret not graduating from college and it is becoming more apparent as I begin the process of sending my son off to college. It is also difficult living with 3 very intelligent men in my house and all I can talk about is what to cook for dinner! Thanks for the question-now I must go do laundry.
Love you!
I'd have to say a brain. I am working really hard on boundaries lately. God really has been directing me to find my worth in being a God-fearing mommy and wife. I love to be the one to lead activities and help with projects, but my focus wasn't in the right place and I was trying to find worth in the wrong places. I've learned a few hard lessons lately, but I can finally see my learning boundaries paying off and being wonderful for me and my family.
Wow 2 big questions for me today since I didn't answer the first one of who would you like to spend an hour with? I think of who I would like to spend an hour with it would be someone who would challenge me and inspire me. Who comes to mind is the woman (don't know her name) whose husband was killed by some tribesmen he went to minister to and then sometime later she went there to.(They made a movie about it or at least his part) I think I too would have to ask for courage but mine would be courage to trust God enough to believe that He really is in control of all things and He can speak to others not just to me. Courage to allow Him to control my life and not think I have to. Celebrate Recovery has opened my eyes to see that I'm lacking in that area. Who knew your blog would become therapy for me too!
Love you and still pray for you everyday,
Julie
Courage for me. Possibly... courage open my heart more. I've had an "interesting" childhood which taught me to shut down my feelings when needed. I thought I had moved passed that a few years ago-but have recently learned that I have not. So, while I know I have a heart- I need the courage to open it to others.
I tend to open up to only a very select few . And I let in even fewer.
Missed you. Love, K (obviously-you are one of the few!!!)
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